Domantas Sabonis Admits He Was 'Surprised' Malik Monk Stayed With The Kings

Domantas Sabonis and NBA fans alike were certain that Malik Monk would be on a different team in 2024-25, but he would return to the Kings.

In conversations he had with Monk during the season, Sabonis was certain the guard was leaving.

“I was actually very surprised,” Sabonis said, via Brenden Nunes). “I was talking to him a lot during the year and I thought we really lost him but I'm glad he stayed. I think it's the best decision for him and for us.”

There is no doubt that Monk is one of the key players in the success of the Kings tomorrow. He signed a four-year, $78 million contract with Sacramento in July.

Sabonis was asked about the salary that Monk took to stay with the team and he just joked that Monk stayed to continue being a colleague with the club.

“I think he didn't want to leave me, that's the main thing,” said Sabonis. “I'm glad you're here. He is one of the most important players in our team. Having him and being on the court with us has helped us a lot in the last three years.”

Monk finished second in the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award last season, after averaging 15.4 points, 5.1 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 26 minutes per game.

One move the Kings made was signing six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan in a three-way sign-and-trade deal with the Spurs and Bulls.

Sabonis talked about how excited he was to have DeRozan as his new teammate and admitted he was tired of the team's inactivity the summer before.

“I'm happy, at that time, there was nothing that passed, so [I was] a little frustration,” said Sabonis. “He's glad he's here, and I'm going to stay with him that week in LA, I know him better, you know. I am very happy.”

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